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Nutrient Glossary

N-Acetylcysteine: N-Acetylcysteine
(NAC) is a thiolic antioxidant. It exhibits a wide range of cellular
effects. NAC modulates cytokine levels in immune cells and stimulates
macrophage functions. NAC is a precursor for glutathione synthesis and
stimulates cytosolic enzyme activities involved in the glutathione cycle,
such as glutathione reductase, which enhances the rate of glutathione
regeneration. It can act by direct reaction between its reducing thiol
group and reactive oxygen species. NAC prevents programmed cell death
(apoptosis) in cultured neuronal cells. NAC increases mitochondrial
complex I and IV specific activities both in vitro and in vivo in synaptic
mitochondrial preparations from aged mice. Glutathione, the principal
thiolic compound in the cell, plays a key role in cellular homeostasis
since its loss is accompanied by cell death because of lipid peroxidation
and protein-thiol decline. NAC delays age-associated memory impairment
in mice. It plays a role in increasing the function of synaptic mitochondria.
It also protects against age-related decline of oxidative phosphorylation
in the liver mitochondria of mice. In one study, NAC significantly reduced
the levels of plasma homocysteine in human subjects.